The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry is releasing its call for proposals to identify the top ten emerging technologies in chemistry with the results to be announced in 2020.
This initiative began in 2018 in recognition of IUPAC’s Centenary in 2019, and while it was created to kick-off IUPAC’s anniversary year in a very visible way, the end goal was to showcase the value of Chemistry (and chemists!) and to inform the general public as to how the chemical sciences contribute to the well-being of Society and the sustainability of Planet Earth. The finalists for 2019 were announced in April 2019 and detailed in the April/June 2019 issue of Chemistry International (CI).
The initiative proved to be so successful, that IUPAC has made it an annual event with the results to be published in Chemistry International for the foreseeable future. The call for the 2020 proposals is now open. Anyone can submit one or more proposals – this call for proposals is open to the global science community as well as to the general public.
LINK to nomination form
Call for nomination – deadline 31 March 2020
What is an “Emerging Technology?”
An “Emerging Technology” is one that is between a new scientific discovery and a fully-commercialized technology. It should involve a solid understanding of the technology, some type of prototype, or even better some start-ups working to commercialize the technology. But most importantly, the technology needs to be exciting, have the capacity to open up new opportunities in chemistry and beyond, and most importantly, help to solve major global problems – the focus of IUPAC’s vision and mission. The term “chemistry” is used in its broadest sense, including material science, nanotechnology, and biochemistry. Bottom line, an emerging technology is a discovery that hovers between an embryonic “Eureka” moment in the lab and an industrial application.
While IUPAC spearheads this initiative, as an organization it is not involved in the review process. The selection is made by an objective, unbiased, international panel of experts. The 2020 search will be led by Prof. Dr. Michael Droescher, Treasurer and General Secretary of the German Association for the Advancement of Science and Medicine, who also served as a judge for the 2019 search. Droescher has noted that “Chemistry is the driving force for emerging technologies, but it is so pervasive that it is often overlooked and taken for granted. This new IUPAC initiative will help to raise chemistry’s profile and reinforce its essential role in the advancement of science and technology.” He looks forward to moving the initiative forward and welcomes you input.
For more information, contact Fabienne Meyers, IUPAC Associate Director and Editor, Chemistry International ([email protected])
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Announcement published in Chem Int Oct 2019, p. 39
Call first posted 18 June 2019 with an initial deadline for nomination of 31 October 2019